BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is the most frequent cause of progressive hair loss. It usually affects individuals with genetic predisposition and sufficient circulating androgens. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and epidemiology aspects of androgenetic alopecia in females. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed. The sample comprised a group of women with androgenetic alopecia seen in trichology consultation from 2004 to 2006. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 200 women with clinical diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia were studied. Family history was detected in 68% of patients, and the most common site was frontoparietal hairline. The laboratory tests showed that 17% of females had low zinc and 9% low albumin and ferritin levels. Twenty percent of patients presented changes in hormone levels. CONCLUSION: The most common laboratory finding in the patients studied was hormone changes.
Alopecia; Hair; Laboratory techniques and procedures
